Real Madrid Need Raphael Varane to Emerge as Their Reliable Last Line of Defence

Real Madrid went close to taking a first-ever victory in the UEFA Champions League at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night, eventually drawing 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund to remain level on points with the German club in Group F.

With a double-header against bottom side Legia Warsaw to come next, Real will hope to send themselves close to qualification for the knockout stage with a further six points from those two games, making this a valuable point against Dortmund in the long run—even if it was frustrating to concede a late equaliser to BVB on the night.

Despite conceding two and not taking the victory, there were some impressive points for Zinedine Zidane and his side to take from the game, with one of those being the performance of centre-back Raphael Varane. The French defender had his best performance of the season against tough opposition, and the club desperately need him to discover this form on a regular basis. The position can be his for years to come if he manages to finally do so.

Below par, still unbeatable

There’s no question that Real Madrid were not, as an entire unit, at the top of their game at the Westfalenstadion. They were too easily cut apart by BVB’s quick passing, the midfield did not close out the spaces between the lines—which the likes of Gonzalo Castro and Ousmane Dembele cut through time after time—and the match possession was heavily weighted in the home team’s favour, split 60-40.

Yet Dortmund, superior and impressive, could not beat Real Madrid.

Away from home and in European competition, with much at stake and given the form of each team heading into the fixture, the eventual scoreline is significant.

It was, in part, reminiscent of last season, when Real Madrid were not always fluid, not always considerably better than their opponents but won almost every match to close out the season and took the Champions League trophy themselves. Even without being at their best, not losing is a critical part of the squad’s genetic makeup. Since the opening group-stage fixture against Sporting, Zidane’s side haven’t been near their best, but they are unbeaten this season, even if the last three games have ended in draws.

Each of the last two games, Las Palmas and now Dortmund, have seen Real Madrid concede a late equaliser.

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